Do dealers give warranty on used cars?

When looking for your next vehicle, it is important to make sure that if anything goes wrong, you can return the vehicle and have the problem addressed. Used car vehicle warranties offer peace of mind for car buyers, and protection if any unexpected issues arise. Many used car dealers provide warranties on used cars. These can range significantly with what is covered, the length of the warranty, and the conditions of the warranty.

In this guide we take a look at what you should look out for in a used car warranty to help you purchase your next vehicle with peace of mind that you’re covered.

Warranty length

One of the key warranty details that you should explore is the length of the warranty. This can vary significantly based on the dealer and age of the vehicle. Some dealers provide a 3-month warranty, others offer longer terms such as 12 or 24 months. The longer the warranty period the more your vehicle is covered for any issues that happen after the initial purchase. Some used vehicles may also still be covered under the manufacturer warranty, if they are under 5 years old, or potentially longer. Dealers can provide additional cover to extend the warranty beyond the manufacturer timeframe, but it is always a good idea to enquire about any manufacturer warranty that might be remaining.

Car warranty type

There are three broad categories of car warranty: manufacturer warranties, dealer warranties and third-party warranties. We take a look at what each of these means:

Manufacturer warranty

Manufacturer warranties come as standard on all new cars and are free. The cost is built into the vehicle value. Manufacturer warranties typically last up to three years but can last longer, depending on the vehicle, some cover over 10 years. They cover everything that is not associated with regular vehicle wear and tear. Wear and tear issues include replacing things such as tyres, brake pads, windscreen wipers etc. Manufacturer warranties often come with mileage restrictions and service requirements. For the warranty to be valid the vehicle must be serviced yearly or at it’s required intervals and at an approved garage, and the mileage must not exceed a specified number. This is common practice on all warranties but always read the full details and fine print to find out what is covered if your used vehicle is still within the manufacturer warranty period.

Dealer warranty

A dealer warranty is provided by the car dealer, these vary in length and the level of cover. Some car dealers provide a warranty as part of the vehicle price, others charge extra and offer it as an add-on product. As with manufacturer warranties dealer warranties can have stipulations around the number of miles driven, the location of vehicle servicing and are not likely to include wear and tear issues.

Third-party warranty

Some dealers use third parties to provide their warranties, these can be short terms, 3 months or longer term, 12-24 months. These warranties will have very similar properties to dealer warranties but are supplied by an external business. All claims must go through the third-party business and not back to the dealer.

Warranty Phrases and cover

There are some common phrases used to describe what a warranty covers. We take a look at them in more detail so you can understand exactly what you would be able to claim for if you have an issue. Many manufacturer warranties cover each element for different periods of time, so it is worth understanding what each of these terms mean.

Bumper-to-Bumper

Sometimes called comprehensive cover, this level of cover includes everything from the front bumper to the back bumper. Make sure to look at the details, but bumper-to-bumper usually covers electronics, audio systems, air conditioning systems, suspension components, and more.

Powertrain

Powertrain warranties cover the main components that provide drive to the wheels, this includes the engine, transmission, driveshaft, and other related parts. Some parts that need replacing due to wear and tear aren't covered, this includes drive belts, the clutch, and the battery. Always check the individual warranty details.

Corrosion

Corrosion covers any paintwork from rust or other damage that may occur because of natural conditions.